Arkansas Demographics

Arkansas is the 32nd most populous and the 29th largest (52,035 square miles) of the 50 states and capital district in the US. Its capital city is Little Rock (see the image above). Majority of occupations in Arkansas is management and professional (29.4%), followed by sales and office (25.9%). Black or African American is the second largest race after White in this state.

State Facts and Stats

Arkansas has some nick names including Bear State, Hot Springs State, Razorback State and Wonder State

Arkansas has one of the lowest prices of housing units. Data from 2008 to 2012 shows median house value of $106,300 whereas US median is $181,400

This state has one of the lowest income per person ($22,007 compared to national average of $28,051)

Arkansas has one of the highest percentage of people living below poverty level. Data from 2008-2012 shows 18.7% against 14.9% of national average

This state has one of the lowest retail sales per person ($11,602 compared to USA average of $12,990 per capita)

Population Charts

Based on 2013 estimate, Arkansas population is 2,959,373 which ranks the 32nd among the states and capital district. The most populous city in Arkansas is Little Rock. In this section, you’ll learn various state profiles on population by race, age and gender.

Total population compared to the USA

Between April 1, 2010 and July 1, 2013, net population change (in percentage) is 1.50%. This is lower than national average, which is 2.40%. Arkansas population constitutes only 0.94% of USA whole population as pictured on the following chart.

Population distribution by race or age

Census 2013 shows the following five races or ethnicities representing population in Arkansas:

White ancestry 79.90%

Black or African American 15.60%

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.00%

Asian ethnicity 1.50%

Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 0.30%

Others (two or more races) 1.90%

The following chart compares Arkansas population distribution to national average.

According to Census QuickFacts 2013, 6.5% of Arkansas population are under 5 years old, 24% are under 18 years and 15.4% are 65 years or older. 7.5% of Arkansas population (over the age of five) speak language other than English at home, which is lower than US average of 20.5%.

Female vs male population

Female population in 2013 is 50.90% which is slightly more than male population. Arkansas female population number ranks the 21st nation-wide. USA’s average female population is 50.80% whereas male population average is 49.20%. The following chart shows comparison of female and male population between Arkansas and the USA.

Demographics Charts

In this section, you’ll find a collection of statistical profiles on education, property ownerships, poverty, land area, population density and life expectancy. For analysis purposes, each state data is compared to national average. Data is sourced from last census.

Education, home ownership and poverty rate

In the chart below, you’ll find:

Rate of high school graduates is 83.30%, lower than US average of 85.70%

Rate of bachelor’s degree is 19.80% which is lower than US median at 28.50%

Home ownership rate in Arkansas is 67.20%; this is higher than US average at 65.50%

People who live below poverty rate is 18.70% which is higher than national average of 14.90%

Data is obtained from Census 2008-2012.

Land area, population density and life expectancy

Featured on the table below is:

Land area is 1.5% of USA total land area

Arkansas has less population density than the USA average (56 people per square mile vs 87.4)

Life expectancy in Arkansas is lower by 2.9 years than national average

Data is based on Census 2010.

Arkansas land area, population density & life expectancy

Demographic Attribute

Arkansas

USA

Land area (square miles)

52,035.48

3,531,905.43

Population density (people per square mile)

56

87.4

Life expectancy (years)

75.9

78.8

Unemployment rate and occupation types

Arkansas unemployment rate (May 2013 to June 2014) is 6.2% (same as national average). Minimum wage in Arkansas is $6.25 per hour, which ranks 44th highest among the states. The table and chart below show various occupation types based on data obtained from 2010.

Occupation types in Arkansas based on Census 2010

Occupation

Arkansas

USA

Management or professional-related job

29.4%

34.9%

Service-related job

16.3%

17.1%

Sales and office job

25.9%

25.5%

Farming, fishing, and forestry

1.1%

0.7%

Construction, extraction, maintenance and repair

9.8%

9.3%

Production, transportation and material moving

17.5%

12.5%

In terms of travel time to work, workers in Arkansas usually took less time than US average. Data from American Community Survey shows travel time in Arkansas was 21 minutes on average, whereas national average was 25 minutes. Average travel time is obtained by calculating time required to get from home to work each day during the week.

Business ownerships

Latest census business data shows:

Black-owned firms 5.50%, lower than national average of 7.10%

American Indian and Alaska Native-owned firms 1.10%, whereas national median is 0.90%

Asian-owned firms 1.40%; more than four times lower than US average of 5.70%

Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander-owned firms 0.10%, similar to the country’s average.

Hispanic-owned firms 2.30%, more than three times lower than national average of 8.30%

Women-owned firms 24.50%, whereas US median is 28.80%

For comparison purpose, the following chart includes data from US average.

Production and sales

The following table and chart show manufacturers production shipments and sales figures per business sector. These highlight which specific business area Arkansas is strong at.

Manufacturers Production Shipments and Sales Figures

Description

Arkansas

USA

Manufacturers shipments ($1000)

60,735,582

5,319,456,312

Merchant wholesaler sales ($1000)

29,659,789

4,174,286,516

Retail sales ($1000)

32,974,282

3,917,663,456

Accommodation and food services ($1000)

3,559,795

613,795,732

Retail spending per person is $11,602, which is lower than US average of $12,990. In 2012, number of building permits issued in Arkansas was 8,231.

Interesting Facts and Statistics (continued)

Arkansas has one of the lowest state per capita GDP of $31,547

This state has one of the lowest number of management or professional related occupations in the country (29.4% vs 34.9% national average)